Clear-vision windshield



June 19, lZB.

DE F. CROWELL CLEAR VISION WINDSX-IIELD Filed April -19, 1920 f/vvg/vroa X V/W/am D Forres/ Crows/A HTTO/ENEYS 1 Patented June 19, 1923.

UNITED STATES WILLIAM DE r. CROWELL, or sr. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

CLEAR-VISION WINDSHIELD.

Application filed April 19, 1920.

T 0 all whom may concern:

Be it known that I, VVILLIAM on F. CROW- ELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Louis, Missouri, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Clear- Vision \Vindshields, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to clear vision wind shields of the type which are so constructed that a current of air will circulate upwardly across the clear vision slot of the shield, and thus prevent rain, dust, light snow and the like from blowing inwardly through said clear vision slot.

One object of my present invention is to provide a wind shield of the general type referred to in which the various members or parts of the shield are mounted in a novel manner that facilitates the adjustment of said members to open or close the clear vision slot in the shield or to convert the flue member of the shield into a sun shade or rain VlSOI.

Another object is to provide a clear vision wind shield that is equipped with a novel means for preventing rain, snow and the like from beating inwardly around the ends of the upper and lower members of the shield that form the main protecting wall of the shield, when said members are ad-' justed to form a clear vision slot between the adjacent horizontal edges of said members.

Another object is to provide a clear vision wind shield of the updraft type which is equipped with means for preventing rain, snow and the, like from beating inwardly around the ends of the flue member that is positioned in front of the upper member that forms part of the main protecting wall of the shield. Other objects and desirable features of my invention will be hereinafter pointed out.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated various forms of wind shields embodying my invention, all of which operate on the same general principle but differ slightly from each other in the particular construction of the co-operating elements of Serial No. 374,995.

same. I wish it to be understood, however, that certain features of my present invention, such, for example, as the means for preventing rain, snow and the like from beating inwardly around the two main upper and lower members of the shield, or'the means for preventing rain, snow and the like from beating inwardly around the flue member are not limited to use with wind shields in which the other co-operating parts or elements of the shield of which said means form a part are of the particular construction herein illustrated. Figure 1 of the drawings is a vertical sec tional view of a wind shield embodying my invention and provided with means for preventing rain, snow and the like fromv beating inwardly around the ends of the main upper and lower members of the shield, illustrating the parts of the shield adjusted to form a clear visionslot and an updraft flue through which air circulates upwardly and escapes over the top of the vehicle on which the wind shield is mounted.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of the wind shield illustrated in Figure 1, showing the flue member adjusted to form a sun shade or a rain visor and the other members of the shield adjusted to close the clear vision slot.

Figure 3 is a horizontal cross-sectional view, taken on the line of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view, taken on the line y-y of Figure 2. I

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view of a wind shield embodying my invention and provided with means for preventing rain and the like from beating inwardly around the ends of the flue member, showing thetrating another form of my invention; and

Figure 10 is a vertical sectional view of the wind shield illustrated in Figure 9, showing the parts of same in the position they occupy when the clear vision slot is not in use.

The wind shield illustrated in Figures 1 to 4-, inclusive, is composed of an upper member A and a lower member B that form the main protecting wall of the shield, a bottom member or rain guard C arranged at the rear of the lower member B and a means, preferably a flue member D. arranged in front of the upper member A of the shield in such a manner that it can be adj ustedin the position illustrated in Figure 1, wherein it co-operates with the upper member A to form an updraft flue through which a current o air circulates upwardly or in the position illustrated in Figure 2, wherein it forms a sun shade or rain visor. While the main circul'ation of air is upwardly through the updraft flue and thence rearwardly over the top of the vehicle it will be understood that when the updraft flueis open at its sides, as shown in Figure 1, some of the air that enters said flue will, be drawn laterally out of the sides of same by the air which rushes rearwardly past the ends of the upper member. The members A, B and C are mounted on upright posts 1 at the sides of the vehicle, which postsmay be vertically-disposed or sloped. The means that co-operates with the upper portion of the shield to form an updraft flue or a combined sun shade and rain visor may either be stationary or adjustable, and it can be formed in various ways without departing from the spirit of my invention. In the form of my invention herein shown said means consists of a single flue member D that is adjustably mounted on side arms 2 that are adjustably mounted either on the upright side posts 1, or on the top 3, of the vehicle. In, the form of my invention illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 the flue member D is pivotally connected at its lower end to the side arms 2, and said side arms are pivotally connected at their upper ends to the supporting structure which carries said arms. One convenient way of adjusting the side arms 2 and the flue member D, and holding said parts in adjusted position, is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, wherein the side arms 2 are provided with rearwardly-projecting curved rods or extensions 2 that project through guides 2 on the side posts 1 and the flue member D is provided with rearwardly-projecting, curved arms or rods 1 that pass through guides 41* on the arms 2. The flue member D is preferably provided at its upper edge with a gutter 2, so as to intercept any water that washes up the front side of the member D when said member is used as a rain visor, as. shown in Figure 2.

The upper member A of the shield, which preferably consists of a piece of transparent material mounted in a frame, is pivotally connected at its upper end to the side posts 1, and the lower member B ofthe shield, which also preferably consists of a piece of transparent material mounted in a frame, is

pivotally connected at its lower end to the drains down the inner sideof the lower member B when the clear vision, slot is in use. In inclement weather the upper and lower members A and B of the shield are adjusted in the position shown in Figure 1 so as to form a clear visionslot 8 between the adjacent horizontal edges of said members, the flue. member D is adjusted inv the position shown in Figure 1, so as to co-operate with the upper member A to form an updr; ft flue through which a current of air circulates upwardl as indicated by the arrow in Figure l, and the bottom member or rain guard C of the shield is adjust-ed in the position shown in full lines in Figure 1,'so as to prevent any rain that passes inwardly through the clear vision slot from spattering on the occupants of the vehicle, the uppermembe'r A being so mounted that the lower edge of same is spaced slightly to the rear of the upper edge of the lower member B when the clear vision slot is in use. In clear weather, or when it is not raining or snowing, the lower edge of the bottom member or rain guard C of the shield can be swung rearwardly into the position shown in broken lines in Figure 1, so as to ventilate the passenger compartment of the vehicle. A wind shield of the constructionv above described affords a clear vision for'the oper ator of the vehicle on which it is used and alsov adequate protection for. the operator and occupants in inclement weather, due to the fact that the upper and lower members A and B of the shield form a protecting wall of sufficient area to act as a closure for the front of the vehicle, and the fluemember D co-operates with the upper member A o'fthe shield to form a fine through which a current of air circulates in such a'manner as to pre vent rain, dust, snow and the like from rushin inwardly through the clear vision slot 8 in the shield with sufficient force to enter-the passenger compartment of the vehicle. rain that collects on the inner side ofthe lower member B f the shield drains-downwardly to the gutter 5, and the bottom mem- Any ber C of the shield prevents drops of rain that strike the inner side of the lowermember B from spattering over the occupantsof the vehicle V7 hen it is notdesiredto'use the updraft flue of the shield to induce a circulation of air upwardly over the shield, the flue member D can be arranged in the position shown in Figure 2', so as to form a sun shade or rain visor, it being possible to form the flue member D either from transparent material or opaque material, due to the fact tl at said member is-so arranged that the lower edge portion of same will-not obstruct the view of the operator through. the clear vision slot when the parts are adjusted in the position shown in Figure 1; If it is desired to close the front of the vehicle, the upper and lower members'A and of the shield are swunginwardly into vertical alignment with each "other so as to close-the clear vision slot of the shield.

In order to prevent rain, snow andthe like from beating inwardly around the side edges of the members A and B of the shield when the clear vision slot is in use, I have provided the shield with means that forms closures for the triangularspaces'between the side posts land the members A and B when said members A and B are adjusted in the position shown'in Figure l. The means herein illustrated for this purpose consists of pieces of fabric E and connectedto the side posts 1 and to the members A and B, respectively, and preferably provided with accordion pleats, as shown in Figure 3, so as to cause said pieces offabric to fold up compactly, as shown in Figure t, when the up per and lower members A and B of the shield are moved into vertical alignment with each other. Various other means could be used, however, to form closures for the spaces between the side posts 1 and the members 'A. and B. Moreover, this feature of my present inventiomnamely, means for closing the spaces between the main upper and lower members of the shield and the supporting structure that carries the shield is not lim-' ited to use with a wind shield of the particular type'illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.

The wind shield illustrated in Figures 5 to S, inclusive, operates on the same general principle as the wind shield shown in Figures l to 4, but it is provided with an upper member A. that is revolubly mounted, a lower member B" that is pivotally mounted intermediate its upper and loweredges, instead of at itsextreme lower edge, and a bottom member or rain guard C that is lined 'or stationary. The flue member D of said wind shield is also of slightlydifferent construction andjis provided with means for preventing rain, snow and the like from beating inwardly around the ends" or'side edges of said fluel n e1nber. The means just referred to" consists of vertically-disposed side walls 6 at the endsofthe flue member D that co-operate with said flue member to form a substantially" vertically-disposed trough or fine up through which a current of air circulates when the vehicle travels forwardly. The side walls-6 of said updraft flue can either be stationary with respect to the flue member D, or they can be mounted in such a manner that they can be swung inwardly into parallel relation with said flue member D when the updraft flue is not in use, this feature or characteristic of the shield being clearly shown in Figures? and 8. The flue member D can either be stationarily mounted or it can be adjust-ably mounted,so as to enable it to be arranged in an inclined'position to form asun shade or rain visor. In Figures 5 and 6 I have shown the flue member D carried brackets 7' that project forwardly from the supporting structure that carries the members of the shield The upper member A. of the shield is so mounted that when it is revolved from its closed position shown in Figure 6 into its open position shown in Figure 5, the

horizontal edge of said member A, which is then'in proximity to thelower edge of the member B, will be spaced, far enough away from same-t form a clear vision slot a between said members, itbeing preferable to arrange a gutter 8 on the member A, so as to collect any water that drains down the front side of said member, thcreby preventing water from'dripping from the top around the ends or side edges of the member DQand moreover, the flue member illustrated in'Figures to 8 is not limited-to use with a wind shield whose other parts are of the form and arrangement illustrated in said figuresj 5 In the wind shield shown in Figures 9 and 10 the upper and lower -"members A? and 13?, respectively, of the shield and the flue member D? are revolubly mounted, and the bottom member C of'the shield is pivotally connected at its upper edge to the supporting' structure or'side posts 1 of the shield. When it is desired to adjust the members of the shield so'as to form aclear vision slot in the protecting wall of the shield,the-memhers A and B are revolved from the position shown in Figure 10 into'the position shown in F igure9 and the flue member D is swung forwardly from the'inclined position shown in Figure 10, wherein it serves asa sunshade or rain visor into the sub stantially upright position shown in Figure 9, wherein it co-operates with the upper member A of the shield to form an updraft flue. The fine member D is preferably provid'ed with a gutter 9 arranged so thatit will ion collect any water that drains. down the front side; of said flue-memberwhenthe updraft flue is in,use,,and theilower member B is provided with av gutter 10 arranged so that it will prevent water from washing up the front sideofthe lower member B and being carried over into the passenger compartment of the vehicle when the clear vision slot is in use. I also prefer to provide the upper member A? with a gutter 8 for collecting water that drains. down the front side of said member when the clear vision slot is in use, hen: the members A B and D of the shield are arranged in the position shownnin Figure 10, the gutters on said members are out of the way, or, in other words, in such a position that they will not obstruct the view of the occupantsof the vehicle,

Having thus: described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Let'- ters Patent, is: c o

1'. r; wind shield provided with transversely-disposed upper and? lower members that can'be arranged so. as to. form a clear vision slot in the main protecting wall of the shield, a rain guard. arranged at the rear of the lower member of the shield and projecting upwardlyfrom the bottom edge of same when the clear vision slot is in. use, a transversely-disposed flue member in front of the upper member of the shield that is adaptedto'be arranged either in a position wherein it co-operates with the upper; portion of the shield to form an updraft fi'ue.

form a clear vision slot that extends transversely of the-main protecting wall of the shield, a bottonr memberarrangedv at the rear of the lower member of the Shield, a transversely-disposed flue memberin front 01": the upper member of the shield that is adaptedto be arranged either in a position wherein it co-operateswith theupper por-. tion of the shield'to form anupdra-ft fine that induces a circulation. upwardly across the clear vision. slot, or in a position to serve as a forwardly-projecting sunshade or; rain visor, adjustable 'sideclosures arranged at the endsoft-he: upper and lower members of the shield, and means forenaibling the bottom member of, the shield to-be adjusted soas to ventilate the passenger compartment of the vehicleon which the, shield is used.

I 3. A wind shield of the updraft type pro-. vided with a combined sunshade and flue memberaan adjustable supporting structure that carries" said: member" and which is adapted: tor be. arranged in different posie tions so as to change the angle of saidmemher when it is used to form a sunshade, a pivotal connection; between. said member and supporting structure that permitssaidmemher to be moved relatively to said supporting structure, into an upright position, wherein it forms one wall of an updraft flue, and means for retaining said member in, said upright position.

4. A wind shield, comprisinga supporting structure, adjustable side armsprojecting forwardly from; said. supporting; struc= ture, and a transversely-disposed member pivotally connected at its lower edge-to said side arms and; adapted to be, arranged at an angle tosaid. side; arms; so: as to, serve as a fine member or in: parallel relation. to said side arms so as to serve as a sunshade or rain visor.

5. A wind: shield, comprising: asupporting structure, transversely-disposed upper and lower members pivotally mounted onsaid supporting structure in such a way that they can be spaced apart to. form a clear vision slot, a pivotally' mounted rain guard at: the

rear of the lower. memberof the; shield that projects upwardly: from the bottom edge of said lowermember when the clear vision slot is in use, pivotally mounted side arms on said supporting structure,v a combined sunshade and. flue: member pivotally connected: at its lower edge to said'side arms, and means for adjustably connecting said member to saidi arms.

6. A wind shield, comprising asupporting structure, transversely-disposed upper and lower members pivotally mounted on said supportingstructure, a pivotally mounted bottom member arranged at the rear of the lower member of the shield, pivotally mounte'dside. arms'on said supporting-strum ture, a flue member pivota-lly connected at its lower edge to said side arms, and; side closuresformed by piecesof fabric arranged: between said supporting structure and the ends of the upperand lower members ofth shield.

7. A clear vision wind shield of the updraft type provided with upper and lower members that arevre-volubly mounted and so arranged that theycan be adjusted to form, a clear vision. slot between said. members, a revolubly mountedv flue member arranged in front of the upper member of theshieldand. adapted tobe arrangedina position: to; serve as a sun shade or rain visor, and a pivotally mounted bottom member-arranged at the rear of: the lower. member of; theishield;

8-. A clear vision wind shield of the. up

draft type provided; with upper' and; lower members, that are revolubly mounted andlso arranged that they can beadjusted to: form a clear vision slot between said members, a

revolubly mounted flue member arranged in' front of the upper member of the shield and adapted to be arranged in a position to serve as a sun shade or rain visor, a pivotally mounted bottom member arranged at the rear of the lower member of the shield, and

gutters on the upper and lower members of the shield and on said flue member arranged WILLIAM DE- F. CROWELL. 

